Maties beat UJ to remain at the top of the table

The Maties Netball team managed to grab a bonus-point in their 69-27 victory over UJ at the Coetzenburg Indoor Centre, but the performance was far from vintage.

The visitors scored the opening goal but the Maties swiftly scored a few goals of their own to lead 4-3 and then finished the quarter ahead at 13-6.

UJ couldn’t apply any pressure on the scoreboard and Maties continued to keep the scoreboard ticking over, going into halftime leading 30-13.

After the break, it was some more one-way traffic and at 40-18 the Maties called a power play and quickly leapt into a 48-18 lead, aiming to secure the magical number of 50 goals to grab a goal-scoring bonus-point. They did this a few minutes later and it was mission accomplished for captain Megan Gossmann and her team.

Going into the final quarter the team was leading 52-21 and the final power play was called, but neither team used it to any great effect. Despite the final score being an impressive 69-27, the Maroon Machine will have to significantly up their game before the next round, as a stronger team will exploit the indecision on attack and the gaps in defensive organisation.

With two massive fixtures looming in Pretoria, coach Zanele Mdodana will have to use all of her knowledge from playing on the international stage to ensure the team keeps up their solid start to the 2017 Varsity Netball season.